A man who was wanted for murder decided to act as if he was born mute in order not to accidentally disclose his crime.
However, he now lost his voice and is unable to speak due to not using his voice for many years.
The man in China who was identified as 45-year-old Mr. Zeng is accused of killing his wife’s uncle after a dispute over 500 yuan ($76) in rent.
Zeng fled his village in Zhejiang in 2005 and spent the next 12 years pretending not to be able to speak.
He managed to find a job at a construction site in another province, changed his name, got married, and became a father.
However, someone recognized him earlier this year and reported him to police.
He was arrested and DNA confirmed that he was the wanted man.
Zeng wanted to confess to his crime but realized that he was unable to speak. Detectives handed him papers and he admitted to the crime in writing.
Zeng told the police in writing that he stopped talking after committing the crime. “By not talking, I was not going to say anything stupid,” he wrote.
That was his choice but after 12 years of silence, he cannot talk anymore.
Zeng faces the death penalty if he is convicted of murder.